Woolpack, Eccles Old Road

Woolpack, Eccles Old Road, Salford. (c) NAH1952 at flickr [1].

The original Woolpack used to stand at the junction of Bolton Road and Eccles Old Road, Pendleton, and can be traced back to 1786.  The pub used to have a bowling green and tea gardens which opened in 1829, and the Woopack offered "the very best wines and spirits, London bottled and draught porter and excellent home brewed ale [2]."  At this time there was a turnpike for the Eccles Old Road here and there was a horse's water trough outside the Woolpack.

Woolpack, Eccles Old Road, Salford. (c) Neil Richardson & Tony Flynn [3].

By the end of the 19th century the Woolpack was comprised of an original three-storey building with a two-storey extension on the Eccles Old Road side.  At this time the pub was advertising Hardy's Celebrated Ales but in 1905 Walkers & Homfray took over.  They renovated the pub, tiling the front and adding the distinctive black and white timber detail [2].

Woolpack, Eccles Old Road, Salford. (c) Neil Richardson [2].

Landlord of the newly refurbished Woolpack was Robert Valentine, then a Manchester United player, and he relaid the bowling green and built a bowling house out the back.  The Woolpack passed to Wilsons Brewery and it closed in September 1966, but just four years later a new Woolpack was opened down on Meyrick Road on the new estate [2].  The spot where the old Woolpack stood has been swallowed up by the Eccles Old Road - Broad Street - Bolton Road junction.

1. www.flickr.com/photos/59342697@N06/5431178006.

2. Salford's Pubs Part Three: Including Cross Lane, Broad Street, Hanky Park, the Height, Brindleheath, Charlestown and Weaste, Neil Richardson (2003).

3. Salford's Pubs 1, Neil Richardson & Tony Flynn (1978).